Anger is a universal reaction to threat that can mobilize forces for self‐defense and the protection of loved ones.

Gendered Anger: Adaptive Functions and Social Norms

Anger is a universal reaction to threat that can mobilize forces for self‐defense and the protection of loved ones. In entering this realm of emotions, it is important to recognize that both men and women use anger to respond to dangerous situations, though each group experiences and expresses this state in different ways.

The main discussion reveals that anger plays an adaptive role—its sudden outbursts can energize us during critical moments, whether it involves protecting children from danger or the need to stand up for one’s position. Women often experience this emotional surge with an overlay of deep feelings, where jealousy and stubbornness mix with the desire to protect the family. This combination can sometimes turn anger into an almost demonic manifestation which, despite its intensity, serves a vital purpose. Men, on the other hand, raised in a culture where open expression of emotions may be seen as a sign of weakness, tend to suppress their reactions. This leads to their anger frequently remaining hidden, accumulating and eventually erupting as covert internal conflicts that can result in long-term psychological issues.

The conclusion emphasizes that the overall function of anger as a signal for mobilization remains constant for both sexes; however, cultural norms and social expectations lead to different forms of expression. Women tend to display their emotions vividly and openly, especially when it comes to protecting their loved ones, whereas men often keep their feelings in check, which may result in concealed psychological difficulties.

What could be the similarities and differences in the manifestation of anger in women and men?

The quest to understand the similarities and differences in the expression of anger between women and men can be viewed through the lens that anger is a universal reaction to threat with adaptive functions, yet it carries unique socio-cultural nuances depending on gender.

Both groups use anger as a mobilization signal in the face of danger or threat. For example, one story recounts that when a husband began threatening to harm one of their children, the woman could no longer hold back and “erupted in anger,” which, despite its destructiveness, served as a stimulus to protect herself and her loved ones:
"However, when Dot's husband began threatening to harm one of their children, she could no longer restrain herself and finally exploded in anger. ... The anger acted as the necessary stimulus for Dot to take steps to protect herself and her children. This story reveals one of the main positive aspects of anger: it helps save lives" (source: link txt).

At the same time, there are marked differences in how women and men experience and express anger. Women, often experiencing deep emotional currents, may see their anger interlaced with feelings of jealousy and stubbornness, sometimes reaching a “demonic degree” if the petty aspects of these emotions are not overcome:
"A woman's anger, when interwoven with jealousy and stubbornness, can reach a demonic degree. A woman should fear jealousy. She is obliged to remove her 'self' from her love so that her strong affection may remain pure..." (source: link txt).

Men, in contrast, are often brought up in a culture where the open display of feelings is equated with weakness. This leads to their anger being either suppressed or expressed covertly, which may eventually accumulate as hidden internal conflicts:
"How many times has it been observed: the woman becomes dejected, cries, and then that’s the end of it, life over. If you pity her a little, sympathize, she will lift her spirits and smile. Meanwhile, men, whose feelings may be deeply hidden, seem to encounter more psychological problems..." (source: link txt).

It is also noted that cultural traits and modes of communication regarding emotional states differ between men and women:
"Angry reactions are often learned from the surrounding environment. Cultural peculiarities... each group uses its own language to express feelings, which influences the behavior of its members. It is often believed that men and women belong to different cultural groups because their ways of expressing feelings differ" (source: link txt).

Thus, the similarity lies in anger’s function as a tool for mobilization and defense for both genders, while the differences arise from the emotional tint and social norms: women tend to express anger more vividly and emotionally—especially when protecting loved ones—whereas men are more inclined to suppress their emotions, potentially leading to hidden psychological challenges.

Supporting quotes:
"However, when Dot's husband began threatening to harm one of their children, she could no longer restrain herself and finally exploded in anger. ... The anger acted as the necessary stimulus for Dot to take steps to protect herself and her children. This story reveals one of the main positive aspects of anger: it helps save lives" (source: link txt)

"A woman's anger, when interwoven with jealousy and stubbornness, can reach a demonic degree. A woman should fear jealousy. She is obliged to remove her 'self' from her love so that her strong affection may remain pure..." (source: link txt)

"How many times has it been observed: the woman becomes dejected, cries, and then that’s the end of it, life over. If you pity her a little, sympathize, she will lift her spirits and smile. Meanwhile, men, whose feelings may be deeply hidden, seem to encounter more psychological problems..." (source: link txt)

"Angry reactions are often learned from the surrounding environment. Cultural peculiarities... each group uses its own language to express feelings, which influences the behavior of its members. It is often believed that men and women belong to different cultural groups because their ways of expressing feelings differ" (source: link txt)